Meet the Lecturers: Steve Davies

Steve Davies, pensive as usual!

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and main interests in economics?

I am an industrial economist who specialises in competition policy. So I’m mainly an applied micro economist but to be honest I’m interested in nearly all areas of economics. I have been a Professor at UEA now for more than a quarter of a century, and during that time have seen us move up the national and international league table. It’s fair to say that we really are one of the leading Economics departments in the UK and beyond. I’m proud of that achievement.

I have tried to devote my research and teaching to subjects that are directly relevant to the real world – particularly competition economics.  For most of this century I have been an adviser to the UK’s competition agencies, notably the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition and Markets Authority.  I have also had a similar advisory role to the OECD in Paris, and I have worked on many projects down the years for many of the world’s top agencies: the European Commission, the World Bank and the UN. I believe that these outside roles have provided me and my students with a direct line to policy and policymakers – this is important to me and often beneficial to their career prospects.

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Meet the Lecturers: Odile Poulsen

 

Odile Poulsen – Behavioural Economist and Avid Knitter

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and main interests in economics?

I did my Ph.D in Growth Theory at the University of Essex, an area of Macroeconomics which is very dominated by the Neo-Classical paradigm. I am now more interested in Behavioral Economics because it is not restricted by this paradigm, and most research in this area seems more realistic and feels closer to real world interactions.

What do you think makes studying Economics at UEA special?

There is a very good atmosphere in the school, the staff are passionate about teaching and really care about the students… Also we teach Behavioral Economics which is a bit of a hot topic at the moment! 🙂

Meet the Lecturers: Matt Aldrich

Matt Aldrich: Intrepid Labour Economist

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and main interests in economics?

Throughout my A-levels I planned to study engineering at university; a late change of heart (because I enjoyed economics more than physics!) led me to studying Economics here at UEA. I was inspired by a research project in a 3^rd year module – Labour Economics –  which I chose to do on job prospects for graduates,  to stay on for a Masters and a PhD, both here at UEA, in order to research the graduate labour market in more detail. I was lucky enough to get a lectureship here when my PhD finished. My main interests in economics are the labour market, social policy and welfare. I’m currently doing research into fatherhood which covers all three of these areas!

Meet the Lecturers: Mike Brock

Mike Brock – Economist, Environmentalist, Baker!

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and main interests in economics?

I am originally from the West of England and came to Norwich in 2007. Having completed my undergraduate and postgraduate studies at UEA, I began as a lecturer in August 2014.

My main interests are in behavioural and environmental economics.  In particular, I focus upon looking at how and why people attach value to the environment and how we can use behavioural economics to try and help people to act in more environmentally sustainable ways.

Meet the Lecturers: Jack Fosten

After a brief hiatus, we have decided to start the year off with a new series of Meet the Lecturers, so without further ado; Dr Jack Fosten!

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and main interests in economics?

I grew up in the Kentish suburbs of London and decided to study economics at the University of Bath after a last-minute decision not to study modern foreign languages, something for which I am now thankful! Throughout my undergraduate career I became interested in the quantitative side of economics and was never happy with settling for explanations of economic concepts which just used words or diagrams. I went on to the University of Warwick to study for an MSc and PhD in economics, the latter of which I transferred to the University of Surrey. In 2015 I took up my first position as an academic here at UEA.

Meet the Lecturers: Aikaterini Karadimitropoulou

In our next Q&A, meet Dr Katerina Karadimitropoulou…

Katerina getting into the festival spirit at Tomorrowland Festival

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and main interests in economics?

My initial interest in the field was sparked by an aptitude for mathematics and a love of current affairs. I chose to study a BSc in Economics and Econometrics at the University of Kent to ensure I could understand the news I heard and read on a daily basis. While studying for my MSc in Economics and Econometrics also at Kent I discovered a taste for research and developed a passion for teaching. I was the one doing the lectures and I absolutely loved it! I didn’t have time to think about carrying on to study for a PhD. I took the challenge, and here I am today at UEA combining my passions and doing a dream job.

Meet the lecturers: Peter Dawson

Next up to face our Q&A is Dr Peter Dawson…

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and main interests in economics?

Born and raised in Lancashire, I did my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the rival county of Yorkshire. I was the first member of my family to go to university. I suppose I was lucky in a way because most of my cohort who did A-levels went on to university and I basically joined the bandwagon. Prior to joining UEA I worked at universities in Scotland and the South West of England. This is my 17^th year as an academic and I still don’t look a day over thirty (see picture, below).

I would describe myself as an applied microeconomist but I am probably best known for my work in the field of sports economics. I do not claim to have celebrity status but I have presented work to Stephen Fry and Delia Smith and my work has been cited by Professor Stephen Hawking.